District 200 grads invited to first alumni association post-game gathering

If you're a Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 grad, there's a chance you already have plans to attend the much-anticipated Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North High School rivalry football game later this month.

Realizing alumni will already be at the Aug. 26 game, leaders from the newly formed Wheaton-Warrenville Alumni Association decided to host the group's first social event afterward, at the VFW down the road from Wheaton North, where the game begins at 7:30 p.m.

"Since we're just getting up and running we don't really know what kind of social events people are interested in, so we wanted to keep it pretty casual and appeal to multiple age groups," said Erica Loiacono, the district's director of public relations.

Graduates from both schools are invited to come out to the VFW, N731 Papworth St., after the game. There will be free snacks and a cash bar. No RSVP is necessary and spouses and significant others are welcome.

"We're glad that we were able to support a local business that has been supportive of our district to bring people together," Loiacono said.

The association recently sent out its first newsletter and is still in the process of reaching out to more alumni to hear what they want to get out of the group. Leaders have a working list of volunteer opportunities for alumni, such as being a guest speaker in entrepreneurship classes and on career days at the high schools and serving as judges at two annual middle school entrepreneurship expos.

Regular social and networking events such as the Aug. 26 gathering are being planned as well. The association might also play a role in publicizing and organizing future class reunions and hopes to boost the district's donor base by informing alumni about needs in the district.

Anyone interested in learning more about the group can follow Wheaton Warrenville Alumni Association on Facebook and sign up for e-newsletters through cusd200.org. Alumni also can direct ideas and questions to wwalumniassociation@gmail.com.